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Situated on the Gulf of Mexico in West-Central Florida, Tampa draws tourists throughout the year because of its plentiful attractions, theme parks and semi-tropical weather. The Tampa Bay area includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. For those who enjoy swimming, sunbathing and water sports, numerous beaches around Tampa can provide relaxation and fun.

Location

Tampa, Florida, lies on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay. To the west is a barrier island that is home to all of the beaches around Tampa, formally called the Tampa Bay Beaches. Clearwater Beach marks the northernmost beach on the island, with St. Petersburg Beach and Pass-a-Grille at the southern most point of Tampa Bay Beaches. In between, you can find almost a dozen other beaches that include Bellaire Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Redington and North Redington beaches, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde.

Getting There

You have multiple options when traveling from Tampa to Tampa Bay Beaches. If you want to head to Clearwater or beaches to the north, you must travel west on Florida State Road 60 until you reach Florida Highway 699, which runs south along the island. Any of the other beaches on the island can be reached by exiting Interstate 275 to the west. To visit Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach or Bellaire, exit Florida Highway 688, also called Umberton Road, and continue traveling west until you reach the beaches. If you wish to visit the beaches at the south end of the Island continue exit Florida Highway 694 or Fifth Avenue. To reach Pass-a-Grille, St. Petersburg Beach or Tierra Verde, exit at Pinellas Bayway.

Typical Weather

Tampa, Florida in

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The temperature in Tampa, Florida in November tends to be very predictable, so you can generally count on the forecast and travel light.

The temperature in Tampa, Florida in November is somewhat unpredictable, so be on the safe side and prepare for a variety of conditions.

The temperature in Tampa, Florida in November is highly unpredictable, so use the forecast as a guide, but be ready for anything!

Accommodations

If you choose to stay near the beaches around Tampa, you have many options. You can check in to a large luxury resort such as Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Petersburg (loewshotels.com) or the Hyatt Regency Clearwater (clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com). If you prefer more modest accommodations, the Best Western Sea Wake Beach Resort (bestwestern.com) is a popular choice. You also can select a small independent hotel or bed and breakfast. The Hotel Isis (isisbeachhotel.com) in Redington Beach or the Seabreeze Manor (seabreezemanor.com) in Gulfport offer comfortable accommodations.

Red Tide

Karenia brevis, commonly known as Red Tide, is a type of algae that explodes into an offshore bloom and commonly occurs near Tampa Bay Beaches. The water becomes rust colored as the algae releases toxins that can cause respiratory problems in people, in addition to killing massive amounts of marine life. When the tide reaches shore, it throws out toxins that can travel up to five miles inland, causing frequent asthma attacks. Red Tide has been occurring for centuries, but Tampa beaches have not experienced a major bloom since 2009. You should not avoid taking a trip to the Tampa area's beautiful beaches because of the possibility of Red Tide, but be sure to check with the Pinellas County website before your departure just in case there's a problem.

References

About the Author

Jessica Morelock began her professional writing career in 2007, after a three-year stint as a producer and co-host on Sirius Satellite Radio. She has also worked for the airline industry and as a travel agent. She completed a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.